Feb. 8, 2004

The Fighting Illini men's tennis team became only the fifth team in ITA National Team Indoor Championship history to repeat as champs, after a 4-0 sweep over previously undefeated No. 6 UCLA (7-1) today in Seattle, Wash. With today's indoor championship win, the Illini have won the last three team championships, starting with last year's USTA/ITA title and last year's NCAA championship. The previous four times the indoor championship was held in Seattle the Bruins had won all four. With last year's USTA/ITA title and this year's, the Orange and Blue were only the third team ever from outside the state of California to win the team indoor title.

"It's definitely one of our biggest wins simply because we came back this year missing a couple of players and needed some of the young guys to step up, which they did," said Head Coach Craig Tiley.

The Illini started off on the right foot in the championship bout, winning two of the three doubles matches to grab an early 1-0 lead. At No. 2, the tandem of Michael Calkins and Chris Martin swept No. 23 Tobias Clemens and Chris Lam, 8-0. At No. 1 the duo of Brian Wilson and Phil Stolt continued their dominance over ranked doubles opponents, beating the No. 36 pair of Alberto Francis and Kris Kwinta, 9-7. In this weekend's tournament, the Illini did not lose to a ranked doubles team, gathering three wins along the way.

During tournament play, doubles play is stopped once the winner of the point is determined. Singles play is halted after the winner of the match has been determined.

The Illini's winning ways continued into the singles portion of the title match, when onlookers saw the Orange and Blue take the first three singles matches, giving the Fighting Illini the National Championship. At No. 1, Wilson clinched the 4-0 victory by defeating No. 12 Clemens in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4. Wilson and fellow teammate DeHeart (DNF today), each went 3-0 over the weekend. Chris Martin, ranked 47th nationally, beat No. 79 Kris Kwinta, 6-2, 6-0 at No. 4 and GD Jones toppled Chris Surapol 6-1, 7-6 (5), at No. 6.

"Every time we go out, we feel we're going to be a good win for someone," continued Tiley. "Any time you beat the number one team in the country it will be a good win, so we expect that. But we're not that concerned about it; we just go out and take care of the things that we can control."

In Illinois' 39 straight victories, dating back to the beginning of last year, they have beaten twelve top-ten teams. In those matches they have held the opposition scoreless three times. The Illini will look to three-peat as ITA National Indoor Champions, next year in Chicago, Illinois, when the University of Illinois will host the event for the first time.

Illinois will continue action next Saturday, when they will have a rematch at No. 8 Duke, who they beat Friday 4-3.

For complete bracket information visit www.itatennis.com or www.gohuskies.com.

No. 1 Illinois 4, No. 6 UCLA 0

Singles:
1. Brian Wilson (ILL) def. No. 12 Tobias Clemens (UCLA)                     6-3, 6-4
2. Phil Stolt (ILL) vs. No. 18 Chris Lam (UCLA)                             DNF
3. No. 39 Michael Calkins (ILL) vs. No. 90 Alberto Francis (UCLA)           DNF
4. No. 47 Chris Martin (ILL) def. No. 79 Kris Kwinta (UCLA)                 6-2, 6-0
5. No. 65 Ryler DeHeart (ILL) vs. Philipp Gruendler (UCLA)                  DNF
6. GD Jones (ILL) def. Chris Surapol (UCLA)                                 6-1, 7-6 (5)

Doubles:
1. Brian Wilson/Phil Stolt (ILL) def. No. 36 Alberto Francis/Kris Kwinta (UCLA)             9-7
2. No. 14 Michael Calkins/Chris Martin (ILL) def. No. 23 Tobias Clemens/Chris Lam (UCLA)    8-0
3. Philipp Gruendler/Chris Surapol (UCLA) def. Ryler DeHeart/Pramod Dabir (ILL)             8-4